Top tips: Sharing your vision

A clear vision gives everyone in your nursery a shared sense of purpose and direction. It helps your team understand not only what you want to achieve for children and families, but why it matters. When practitioners understand and feel part of the vision, it is more likely to be reflected in everyday interactions, decision-making and practice.

Top tips for sharing your vision in an early years setting

1. Keep it clear and meaningful. Your vision should be easy for everyone to understand and remember. Ask yourself: What do we really want for the children and families who come through our doors?
2. Make it a shared vision. Involve your team rather than simply telling them what the vision is. Ask practitioners what matters to them, what they want children to experience and what makes your nursery special. Feeling listened to and involved can contribute to a positive culture
3. Talk about the ‘why’. Help staff understand why having a vision for the setting matters. Connect it to the difference you want to make to children's learning, development, well-being and experiences
4. Bring it to life. A vision should be more than words displayed on a wall. Talk about what it looks, sounds and feels like in practice. For example, if your vision says children should be confident and curious, what would practitioners be doing to make this happen? What would children be doing to demonstrate it is working in practice?
5. Be a role model. Demonstrate the values and behaviours you want to see. Your everyday interactions with children, families and colleagues send a powerful message about what really matters in your setting
6. Keep talking about it. Revisit your vision during team meetings, supervision, induction and professional development. Use it when making decisions: “Does this fit with what we are trying to achieve?”
7. Celebrate it in action. Notice when members of your team demonstrate your vision and recognise it. Share examples of great practice, children's experiences and positive feedback from families
8. Share it with families. Help parents and carers understand your vision. Include it in your welcome information, website and conversations with families, and show them how it influences children's everyday experiences

Review it together. Your nursery and community will change, so regularly ask whether your vision still reflects the children, families and your team. A strong vision provides direction but should remain relevant to your setting's context.

NDNA products to support you with this activity

Leadership and Management - Live Virtual Classroom (LVC)

Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.